MLF25: Hans Ulrich Obrist

Hans Ulrich Obrist, one of the art world’s most influential curators, will be in conversation to discuss his coming-of-age memoir Life in Progress and explore the transformative power of art and human connection.

Part memoir, part guide to a curiosity-driven life, Obrist reflects on a near-death accident at age six, which inspired his lifelong passion for art as a form of survival. From exhibitions in hotel bedrooms to collaborations with gamers, philosophers, pop icons, and pioneering artists, he has consistently redefined how and where art is experienced.

Currently Artistic Director of London’s Serpentine Galleries and formerly a curator at the Musée d’Art Moderne in Paris, Obrist has curated over 300 shows worldwide and visited more than 4,600 artists’ studios. His collaborations include Marina Abramovic, Etel Adnan, Louise Bourgeois, Gilbert & George, Yoko Ono, Gerhard Richter, and Tomas Saraceno. The discussion will be hosted by Sook-Kyung Lee, Director of The Whitworth, offering an inspiring insight into Obrist’s energy, ideas, and remarkable impact on contemporary culture.